Performing a Local Disaster Recovery Virtualization on Datto Siris

Datto SIRIS provides companies with an advanced insurance policy against data loss and costly downtime by utilizing a revolutionary technology that dramatically simplifies the backup and recovery process. Datto SIRIS takes data directly from the server and converts it into virtual machine readable files that can be booted instantly from a web interface or by using any common hypervisor. This innovative way of storing data allows for instant on-site and off-site recovery and can prevent businesses from having to experience downtime in the event of a disaster, offering the peace of mind that backups will be available at a moment’s notice.

This blog post contains steps to performing a local disaster recovery virtualization on Datto Siris.

1. Verify that the server/workstation is actually down by attempting to ping the IP address from a server on the local network.

Tip: It is not preferred to start up a VM of an agent when it is not actually down as to avoid various problematic issues such as an IP conflict.

2. Log in to the local web interface for your Datto Siris

3. Click the Local Virtualization tab on the top of the local web interface.

Example: Local Virtualization Tab

4. Note the free memory on the Datto because the VM is limited to the amount of free RAM the Datto has.

Example: Available RAM for Virtualization

5. Click on Configure Networking, under the agent you want to virtualize.

Example: Configure Networking Link

6. Select Bridged to the Primary NIC and click Apply.

Note: This is what will make the Virtual Machine live on the local network.

Example: Providing VM live network access

7. If the Datto’s free memory is less than the server normally has, click on Adjust Resource Allotment.

Example: Adjust Resource Allotment Link

8. Adjust the amount of RAM the VM will use (in terms of MB), and click Apply.

Example: Configuring RAM allocation for VM

9. If wanting to boot a prior VM, select the timestamp in the dropdown list for the agent and click Start VM as of, otherwise click Start Latest VM.

Example: Selecting a VM from a previous point in time

10. Click Connect to VM via RDP, to verify the VM is usable.

Note: The agent will still be joined to the domain, but you will have to reset the old IP address of the agent for it to be seen properly. Check to also make sure that all necessary programs that that server interfaces with are able to be used.

Example: VM RDP Link

Tip: The link “Stop Mounted VM” shuts off the VM and the link “Stop & Unmount Current VM Image” brings the snapshot back to its storage state. Unmounting the VM makes you lose all data that had changed since it was running, so make sure that you are backing up the VM with the Siris before you need to do a BMR.

Tip: OEM licenses are bonded to the hardware of the machine and if you virtualize it you are using different “hardware”, you WILL have to get in contact with the manufacturer of the server to have them extend an “emergency license” to you, if you need to run it for more than 3 days.

When the networking configuration is complete and everything is working as it should, make sure the Siris can backup the VM that it is currently running so you can do a BMR.

12. Click the Agents tab on the top of the local web interface.

Example: Agents tab

13. Re-protect the agent that you just virtualized on the Datto Siris.

Example: Re-Protecting a machine

15. After the server/workstation is fixed, turn down the VM and use the backups that have run and perform a Bare Metal Restore.